Nathalie Boltt
Nathalie Boltt | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 July 1973 |
| Alma mater | Rhodes University |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Children | 1 |
Nat Boltt (born 19 July 1973) is a South African actress, director and writer, whose debut feature film, Holy Days, which she wrote and directed, was released in 2026. She started out as a writer and actor. She is known for her role in District 9 and as Penelope Blossom for seven seasons on The CW’s teen drama series Riverdale from 2017 to 2023.
Early life and education
Boltt grew up in Johannesburg in South Africa during apartheid and graduated with a BA in Acting and Dance from Rhodes University in Grahamstown in 1995.[1][2][3]
Career
Her initial break into acting was in her birth country, South Africa, as Joey Ortlepp on the SABC 3 drama Isidingo from 2001 to 2004.[4] In 2005, she appeared in The Poseidon Adventure, the NBC remake of the film of the same name.[5]
In 2009, she had a supporting role in Neill Blomkamp's South Africa-set science fiction action film, District 9.[5] She then had a support role in the New Zealand television film, Bloodlines, based on the true story of Colin Bouwer, a South African doctor in New Zealand who killed his wife. She received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2011 Aotearoa Film & Television Awards.[6]
In 2017, she had a role in 24 Hours to Live alongside Ethan Hawke.[7]
She also voices many characters, including of DottyWot in the New Zealand children's series The WotWots.
In 2026, her directorial debut, Holy Days, was released. Filmed in New Zealand, the movie features Jackie Weaver, Judy Davis and Miriam Margolyes as three elderly nuns who take a road trip to try and save their convent.[8][9] The film was screened for distributors at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival,[10] and premiered to at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. It was theatrically released in New Zealand on 26 February, and will be released in North America on 27 March.
Personal life
She emigrated from South Africa to New Zealand in 2006 and raised her son in Wellington with her husband, Phil.[11][5] She has since emigrated to Canada and now lives in Vancouver.[12][3]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Flood | Kate Morrison | |
| 2007 | Route 30 | Mandy | |
| 2008 | Doomsday | Jane Harris | |
| 2009 | District 9 | Sarah Livingstone | |
| 2010 | Kawa | Annabelle | |
| 2013 | The Silk | Nurse | |
| 2014 | The Cure | Ruby Wakefield | |
| 2014 | Route 30 Three! | Agent Nat | |
| 2015 | Food for Thought | Merran | Short film |
| 2017 | 24 Hours to Live | Dr Helen | |
| 2020 | Watershed | Sam | Short film |
| 2021 | Demonic | Angela | |
| 2024 | The Ornament | Luna | Short film |
| 2026 | Holy Days (film) | Liz | Directorial debut |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Isidingo | Joey Ortlepp | Series regular; soap opera |
| 2003 | Red Water | Marie Savoy | TV movie |
| 2004 | Platinum | Rosa von Zülow | TV movie |
| 2005 | The Poseidon Adventure | Shoshanna | TV movie |
| 2005 | The Triangle | News Reporter | Miniseries; uncredited |
| 2007 | Power Rangers Operation Overdrive | Jessica Jefferies | Episode: "Behind the Scenes" |
| 2008 | Inspector George Gently | Trudi Schmeikel | Episode: "Bomber's Moon" |
| 2009 | The Cult | European Woman | 3 episodes |
| 2010 | The WotWots | DottyWot | Main cast (series 1); voice role |
| 2012 | True Crime: Siege | Vicki Snee | TV movie |
| 2014–2015 | Step Dave | Natalie Robinson | 4 episodes |
| 2015 | When We Go to War | Ida Mueller | Miniseries |
| 2016 | Bombshell | Dominique Prieur | TV movie |
| 2016–2017 | 800 Words | Rae | 5 episodes |
| 2017–2023 | Riverdale | Penelope Blossom | Recurring role; also director of episode: "Chapter Ninety-Three: Dance of Death" |
| 2018 | Origin | Laura Kassman | Episode: "God's Grandeur" |
| 2018 | Happy Together | Amelia | Episode: "The Power of Yes... Men" |
| 2019 | Mystery 101: Words Can Kill | Celia Bunton | TV movie |
| 2020 | Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | Miss DuBois | Episode: "Chapter Twenty-One: The Hellbound Heart" |
| 2022 | The Secrets of Bella Vista | Shannon | TV movie |
| 2024 | A Remarkable Place to Die | Marijke Van Heusen | 1 episode |
Web
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Dropped Pie | Charrlotte Houghton-Bradley | 3 episodes |
References
- ^ Actor biography johnsonlaird.com. Retrieved on 28 November 2024
- ^ Riverdale, interview with actress Nathalie Boltt: "Consider yourself enlightened" Daily Bloid. 1 August 2022
- ^ a b Episode 322: Nathalie Boltt YVR Screen Scene. 8 October 2024
- ^ Actor Biography: Nathalie Boltt, South African TV Authority.
- ^ a b c Nathalie Boltt NZ On Screen. Retrieved on 28 November 2024
- ^ Bloodlines NZ On Screen. Retrieved on 28 November 2024
- ^ 24 Hours to Live - Full Cast & Crew TV Guide. Retrieved on 28 November 2024
- ^ Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes, Jacki Weaver to join NZ set of Nat Boltt’s ‘Holy Days’ if.com.au. 5 November 2024
- ^ Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes and Jacki Weaver to Play Quirky Nuns in Nat Boltt’s Comic Adventure ‘Holy Days’ (EXCLUSIVE) Variety. 1 November 2024
- ^ Jeremy Kay, "Features from UK, Canada, Nigeria among TIFF Industry Selects line-up". Screen Daily, August 18, 2025.
- ^ At my place: Riverdale actress Nathalie Boltt Stuff. 15 October 2017
- ^ Top Billing catches up with Riverdale stars Nathalie Boltt and Mädchen Amick Top Billing. Retrieved on 28 November 2024